Kingston Library and Heritage Service wish all our readers and visitors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Opening and closing times for the festive period

All Kingston Libraries will be closed from 4pm Friday 24 December to Tuesday 28 December inclusive, re-opening at their usual times from Wednesday 29 December. Branches will close at 5pm on Friday 31 December and will be closed on Saturday 1 January and Monday 3 January 2011.

Local libraries remain popular with children

A recent survery has found that 88% of children and young people rate Kingston Libraries as ‘good’, the highest rating. The three yearly CIPFA survey conducted by the Kingston Library and Heritage Service in October identified a 2% improvement on the result achieved in 2007. 

The Library Service also saw a rise in satisfaction with:

• opening hours
• under fives activities 
• the library as a safe place for children
• cheerfulness of the library interior
• ease of access to the library.

Since the last survey in 2007 there has been an increase in opening hours at some branches, and improvements in facilities for parents and children through library refurbishments. In 2009 in response to requests from parents, a new children’s toilet with baby changing facilities was added to Kingston Children’s Library and in 2010 the library was redecorated with new flooring and furnishings to create an attractive, child-friendly environment. 

Most children said they used libraries because they liked to read, make friends, join and try new things, and to learn and find things out. The number of Under Fives and their carers who responded has risen, and more are saying they attend library activities and holiday events. 

Mike Treacy, Reading and Literacy Manager for Kingston Libraries, said that the survey was an excellent result and demonstrates how much children and parents value their local library and children in the borough see libraries as exciting places of discovery and learning. The Library Service will also be learning from the survey and will be making improvements in response to comments and requests from parents and children. This ranges from improving board book provision to more child friendly furnishings at some branches.

Christmas events at Kingston Children's Library

The children's library at Kingston has remained open during building works.  Here are the Christmas events planned:

Thursday 16 December Santa's visit
Thursday 23 December Christmas stories
Thursday 30 December Pirate stories
Thursday 6 January Time Themed



Each is a free event with tickets on the day, limited on a first come basis.

Visit the library in Wheatfield Road, Kingston

Kingston Library closure - update

The external roof repairs are now almost complete and the internal work to rebuild the ceilings will commence on Friday 10^th December.  Due to the ongoing severe weather conditions, and the extensive internal damage to the roof structure caused by the thefts, it has taken a long time for the damaged areas to thoroughly dry out.

As soon as the ceilings have been repaired we will then be able to replace all the damaged areas of carpeting.  Substantial areas of woodwork also need to be repaired and repainted.

All of the computer equipment has been stored for safety reasons and these will need to be returned to their normal positions and fully tested.

The last task will be to clean the library and restore the library stock.  Some of the stock is on site and wrapped against any possible damage whilst other branches are holding quantities of Kingston stock that will need to be restored for public access.

Rest assured that everything is being done as quickly as possible to re-instate the library and restore our normal services to the public.

We aim to re-open on

Monday 10^th January 2011

Thank you for your patience

We apologise for any inconvenience caused

Kingston Children’s Library is operating normal opening hours.

There is a selection of adult stock available

including ‘Quick Choice’ Adult Fiction and DVDs.

Stock can be returned as normal to this branch.

Santa comes to Tolworth Library

Festive story and rhymetime with Father Christmas visit

Wednesday 15 December 10.30 - 11.15

Christmas Craft Activity

Tuesday 22 December 10am - 4pm. Drop-in sessions for 5 - 12 year olds.

Visit the branch in The Broadway, Tolworth.

Christmas events at Tudor Drive Library

Rhymetime Christmas Party

Tuesday 14 December, 2.15 - 2.45
Held in Tudor Drive Hall with refreshments and play session until 3.15pm. For babies and toddlers. No need to book, just turn up! Donations towards Wallace & Gromit's Childrens Foundation welcomed.

Christmas Storytime

Monday 20 December 2.15 - 2.45

Father Christmas comes to Surbiton Library!!

Monday 13 December, 2.15 - 3.15pm
Visit the library for festive stories and craft with Father Christmas making a special visit for under 5's.  Card making for family and friends.  Pre-book tickets are just £1.50

Tuesday 14 December, 10.15 - 11.15am
Dress up as your favourite Christmas character and come and sing your favourite seasonal tunes.  Free event for children.

Surbiton Library is in Ewell Road, Surbiton.

Scandinavian Christmas Craft at Tudor Drive Hall

Saturday 11 December, 2.30 - 4pm

Come along and make Scandinavian hanging decorations, reindeer masks, stained glass window cards. For children of all ages. Young children may need some help. Tickets are £1.50 and are available in advance from the library in Tudor Drive, Kingston.
Tickets may be available on the day but often sell out. 

Update on the Temporary Closure of Kingston Adult Library

Following the theft of lead from the library roof, remedial work is nearing completion.^. At the same time, work is going on to repair the interior of the library. Two large industrial de-humidifiers are assisting with the drying out process and joists affected by mould caused by water saturation will be treated. Repair of the plasterwork can then begin, the damaged carpet replaced and paintwork restored. It is still not possible to give a definite re-opening date as it depends on the drying out process but every effort is being made to ensure that the work is done as quickly as possible. We are extremely sorry for the ongoing inconvenience to customers caused by this unforeseen closure.

Kingston Children’s Library is operating normal hours and adult books can be returned there. There is a selection of adult stock available including “Quick Choice”, adult fiction and DVDS. Books can also be returned to any Kingston library and a Kingston library card can be used at any branch in the borough.

Borrow an electricity meter from your local library

Want to monitor how much electricity you use? Looking for ways to slash your household energy bills? Then pop along to your nearest library where you can loan an electricity monitor ‘Smart Meter’ for free!

For more information click here.

The 2 for 1 AV rental offer is back

All branches of the Kingston Library & Heritage Service are taking part in a 2 for 1 audio visual offer, running right through the Christmas period, from 6th December until 15th January. Borrow one and get one free on all DVDs, CDs, Spoken Word items and more! Terms and conditions apply.

Scandinavian Christmas craft event for children

Saturday 27 November 2 - 4pm.
New Malden Library is running a drop-in craft activity for ages 4 and over to make Christmas-themed tree decorations. 50p - £1 per item is charged to cover the cost of materials.Call in to the branch in Kingston Road, New Malden.

Christmas shopping online

Tuesday 30 November 2 - 4pm

Take the strain out of your Christmas shopping with a taster session to help you buy online with confidence and safety. This taster course is being run at New Malden Library, Kingston Road, New Malden.  Tickets £3 and booking is recommended. Telephone 020 8547 5006

Laptop lessons at Hook Library

If you have a laptop but aren't sure how to use it, bring it along to our session in the Hook Library, Hook Road, Chessington, on Thursday 20th November, 10 - 12pm, for advice and guidance from our fully qualified trainer. Course costs just £3.

Free BBC Click courses

Hook Library is running some free beginners internet courses provided by BBC Click. The courses run for 3 weeks and you can choose from the following courses:

Tues 16th November - Tues 30th November, 6.30 - 7.30pm (FREE)
Thur 2nd December - Thur 16 December, 10 - 11am (FREE)

For further details and to book your place on any courses, please call in at Hook Library in Hook Road, Chessington, telephone 020 8547 5006 or e-mail Lisa:lisa.gebbie@rbk.kingston.gov.uk.

To download or view the full listing of classes coming up at Hook Library, please click here.

It's never too late to learn

Never used a computer before? Then this 4 week course is the one for you! It is suitable for complete beginners and covers using the mouse or touchpad, keyboard, basic word processing and the Internet. We have 2 courses coming up on the following dates:

Sat 13th November - Sat 4th December, 1.45 - 3.45pm or
Sat 8th January - Sat 29th January, 1.45 - 3.45pm

The cost for either of these courses is £24. For more information, please call in at the library in Hook Road, Chessington,  or e-mail Lisa: lisa.gebbie@rbk.kingston.gov.uk.

Kingston Library temporary closure

Kingston Library has had to close its doors after flooding.  Repair work on the roof has begun, and when we have an opening date we will annouce it here and on the Kingston Libraries' website.

Silver Surfers drop in sessions

Kingston Library, in Fairfield Road, is opening its doors on two Wednesdays for Silver Surfer's drop in sessions. The sessions at 10am - 11.30am is on Wednesday 1 December. Fees are just £1.50 per visit and there will be support and assistance available from a qualified trainer.

It's never too late to learn!

Two libraries are offering the popular four week course called 'It's never too late to learn'.  The course is suitable for complete beginners and will be taught either on desktop computers. It covers the basics of using a mouse and keyboard, basic word processing, such as creating a document, printing, saving and editing, and basic Internet, such as visiting named websites and using a search engine.  Fees are just £24.  For details and to book a place, contact the preferred library below:


Surbiton Library, Ewell Road, Surbiton, 020 9547 6444
Wednesday 3 November 9.45am - 11.45 am.

Old Malden Library, Church Road, Worcester Park, 020 8547 6467
Thursday 4 November, 10am - midday.

From Thursday 28 October all branches can be contacted through the new customer access point on 020 8547 5006.

More half term activities next week

Hook Library, Hook Road, Chessington

Tuesday 26th October, 10.30 – 11.30am,  Spooky Stories and Craft
For 3-7 year olds.  Tickets £1 in advance from the library.

Saturday 30th October, 10.30am – 12pm, Trick or TreatHorrible Halloween Horror Crafts for ages 6-11 years.  Tickets £1.50 in advance from the library.

Kingston Library, Wheatfield Road, Kingston

Saturday 23 October, 10.30 am – 4.30 pm, Family Nature Show
Go wild at Kingston with a whole range of hands-on activities for all the family. Free workshops. Supported by Family Learning as part of celebrating Family Learning Week

Monday 25 October, 10.00 - 11.00 am - Make a Bird Feeder

Monday 25 October, 11.45- 12.45 -  Bulb Planting
 Both the above events are for children aged 6+ and places are limited to 12-14 people for each event. To reserve a place contact Kingston Children’s Library from 9.30 on Monday 11 October.

Thursday 28 October, 10.15 - 11.00am, Hubble Bubble Toil and TroubleWitches stories and craft for under 5s. Spaces limited, tickets on the day. Free.

Friday 29 October 10.15 - 10.45am, Baby Bounce and Rhyme
 For babies and toddlers. Free.

Saturday 30th October, Bio Open Day at KingstonA day packed full of Biodiversity talks, displays and activities for everyone. Come and get in touch with your inner biologist, ecologist and botanist. Free.

Surbiton Library, Ewell Road, Surbiton

Saturday 23 October, 10.30am - 12 noon, 'Trick or Treat'
Kick off the half term holiday with some autumn crafts, for all ages. Tickets £1.50.

Tuesday 26 October, 10 - 11am, Bulb planting
Tuesday 26 October, 11.45 - 12.45pm, Make your own birdfeeder
Both of the above events are for children 6+ and places are limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free event but please contact the library to reserve a place.

Tolworth Library, The Broadway, Tolworth

Tuesday 26 October, 10 - 5pm, Rockets and Stars
Firework inspired crafts. Pre-book 1 hour sessions (£1.50) 5 - 12 year olds. 

Tudor Drive Library, Tudor Drive, Kingston

Tuesday October 26th, 14:30 - 16:00pm, Norman Knights and Castles
Make a Norman shield and helmet and/or a model motte and Bailey Castle. This is family craft activity recommended for children ages 7 to 12 with an adult to help. Places are £1.50 per child (accompanying adults are free) and can be booked in the library from Saturday 9th October. Library Hall

Thursday October 28th, 2:30 – 3:15pm, Tales of Norman Knights
Stories and legends of knights and castles. Recommended for children aged 4 to 8 years old with an adult. Includes simple craft to do in the library or take to make at home. No need to book in advance. Junior Library